Community: Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"

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750 Views 9 Replies Latest reply: Dec 13, 2010 7:35 AM by silverhead

mdmayfield

353 posts since
Feb 24, 2007

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Dec 12, 2010 11:31 AM

Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"

I'm getting annoyingly audible "zipper" noise when I use the volume or tone pots on either of two different Variaxes, but only when using the VDI cable into the HD500.

There is no noise when using the VDI connection to an XT Live, and no noise when using the powered 1/4" cable, either into the HD or a regular amp.

Can anyone duplicate this, and is there anything I can do about it?

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Tags: variax, vdi, noise, hd500

Nick_Mattocks
9,065 posts since
Mar 26, 2007

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Dec 12, 2010 1:45 PM (in response to mdmayfield)
Re: Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"

I haven't specifically checked since reading your post, but I have not noticed anything untoward. it's too late to check now, but I had a thought - is your VDI cable all it should be - no worn or bent pins or anything that you can see?

Nick

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silverhead
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Apr 1, 2009

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Dec 12, 2010 2:32 PM (in response to mdmayfield)
Re: Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"

I would suspect a bent wire in the HD500 VDI jack. Take a close look at the wires inside the jack. If one appears out of alignment, make a J-hook tool out of a bread-bag wire twist. Use it to very gently lift/nudge the wire back into position.

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mdmayfield
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Feb 24, 2007

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Dec 12, 2010 5:19 PM (in response to mdmayfield)
Re: Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"

Thanks for the replies.

On visual inspection, the VDI jack in the HD500 looks to be in perfect shape. All 8 wires are at the same angle, not dirty or anything else.

Note that this only happens with the HD500, not with an XTL.

Do you guys have a Variax -> VDI -> HD500 setup, and you do not get any noise when adjusting the volume or tone pots?

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- Nick_Mattocks
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  Dec 12, 2010 10:02 PM (in response to mdmayfield)
  Re: Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"
  
  mdmayfield wrote:
  
  Do you guys have a Variax -> VDI -> HD500 setup, and you do not get any noise when adjusting the volume or tone pots?
  
  Yes, that's correct.
  
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  - Nick_Mattocks
    9,065 posts since
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    Dec 13, 2010 12:04 AM (in response to Nick_Mattocks)
    Re: Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"
    
    Just for 'completeness' I have just connected my Variax 700 to my HD500 via VDI cable and checked for zipper noise. As I remembered, there is no sign of this.
    
    I just had a thought: You don't have batteries loaded in your Variax by any chance do you?
    
    Nick
    
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frenchfries
71 posts since
Jan 28, 2007

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Dec 13, 2010 1:38 AM (in response to mdmayfield)
Re: Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"

I notice this zipper noise since the beginning, each time i plug my 2003 Variax 500 through Workbench...

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mdmayfield
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Feb 24, 2007

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Dec 13, 2010 7:18 AM (in response to mdmayfield)
Re: Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"

No batteries.

I've narrowed it down to definitely only the HD500 and definitely only with the VDI cable. Two different Variraxes, same everything else.

Are you saying this could be a grounding/earthing issue? I know that when those knobs are used, MIDI commands are sent over two of the lines in the VDI. I also hear a single "tick" of the noise when changing models, so that would fit.

I will try a different cable next.

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- Nick_Mattocks
  9,065 posts since
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  Dec 13, 2010 7:28 AM (in response to mdmayfield)
  Re: Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"
  
  Maybe it is a grounding issue - I wouldn't like to say for sure. I have three VDI compatible Variaxes here and none of them do what you describe with the HD500. I don't know whether it could be your cable perhaps. The only way you'll know is to try another one I guess.
  
  Good luck
  
  regards
  
  Nick
  
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- silverhead
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  Dec 13, 2010 7:35 AM (in response to mdmayfield)
  Re: Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"
  
  You probably already know this but a standard Ethernet / RJ45 cable will be perfectly adequate as a test cable - you don't need to use a Line 6 VDI cable for the one-time test. If you discover that it is a faulty cable then of course you should replace it with a Line 6 VDI cable permanently. But if the problem persists on a standard RJ45 cable then you know there's no need to replace your VDI cable.
  
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Dec 12, 2010 11:31 AM

Variax pot "zipper" noise with VDI/HD500, not XTL or 1/4"

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